Classic Barrens Overview

\r\r HistoryThis once lush and vibrant territory used to be filled with forests and was home of the Kaldorei, the Night Elves who had many of their settlements scattered throughout these lands which at the time had no ocean borders. The area was once filled with all forms of life that one might expect in such a lush environment, that was of course until The Great Sundering. This cataclysmic event destroyed much of what used to be ancient Kalmidor, sending much of the ancient continent below the sea. This transformed the area into what we now know as The Barrens. Once landlocked, the forests and vibrant environments are mostly wiped out. Now dry grassy plains and sun scorched hills, the land has become very inhospitable to all except the most hardy.\r\rTen thousand years later, Horde Warchief Thrall received a vision from a prophet while off in the Arathi Highlands. This vision told Thrall that he and his Horde must leave, and set sail to the lands of Kalimdor in order to find the orcs true destiny. It was upon landing on the shores of the Barrens that Thrall would first meet the mighty and wise Tauren leader Cairne Bloodhoof. Cairne informed Thrall that their destiny could be found if they searched for the Oracle in the north. Thrall explained that they saw war bands of centaur headed to the north and Cairne quickly realized that the centaur were headed to Tauren settlements to attack. It was at this time that Thrall offered the Tauren the Horde\u2019s assistance in exchange for the location of the Oracle and the two groups set off to fight off the centaur bands. With the defeat of the centaur, and with the Tauren now joining the Horde, the Barrens saw numerous outposts spring up, the largest being the Crossroads. Guard towers defended by both Orc and Tauren alike had also been placed in strategic locations to defend the new Horde territory. The Barrens would now be among the first territories under Horde control going forward. The Tauren then took watch over their home territory of Mulgore to the west from their capital Thunder Bluff. The Orcs and Trolls then built Orgrimmar as their main town to the east in Durotar and the Barrens has now become a very important hub of transportation between the two.\r\rPresent Day\rThis brings us to the present, and you young traveler have found that your path may lead towards this inhospitable territory. Perhaps previously unaware of the surprisingly long history of this aptly named landscape. There is still so much more that this habitat has to offer, and many more tales that you will learn of during your adventures here. The Gold Road runs north and south as travelers, merchants and other less friendly characters use it to get around. Be careful as you travel its path to make sure you don\u2019t cross any Alliance Outrunners who may be making their way along the route. They can be extremely quick and catch you off guard. There have also been reports of people going missing. Mankrik is still holding out hope that his wife will be found.\r\r\r\rThe Crossroads\r\rYou will likely first enter through Mulgore from the West or Durotar in the East and quickly find yourself headed to the central hub of the zone, the Crossroads. Everything that comes or goes through the Barrens usually finds its through Crossroads. This is where your journey will begin. You will meet many of the known town folk who will ask for your services to help on many tasks. The inhabitants will likely require your help to fight off the Kolkar Centaur who continue to ambush travelers and Horde settlements so be sure to find Regthar Deathgate to offer assistance. He can be found north outside of town. Tonga Runetotem will also likely need help as he searches for cures to aid many of the sick creatures around these parts. What could possibly be the cause?\r\rRatchet\r\rAfter you\u2019ve spent some time in the Crossroads, make sure to also head over to Ratchet to explore the coast. This is one of the main ports in this continent and was built by the Goblins soon after they had finished helping Thrall and the Horde build Orgrimmar, and another good place to find adventure. Ratchet is controlled by Goblins and their leader Gazlowe. They have been having an ever increasing problem with pirates stealing shipments that are incoming from Booty Bay. These pirates, known as the Southsea Freebooters, have made camp to the south of town so ask the Goblins if they are in need of any help fending off these thieves. \r\rCamp Taurajo\r\rIf you haven\u2019t already traveled through Camp Taurajo on your way into the Barrens from Mulgore, you can find it to the south, and you\u2019ll want to head there next. This will take you down to the southern Barrens. Many powerful creatures reside in the south, do not take them lightly. Once you arrive you will want to introduce yourself to Jorn Skyseer as he runs the camp. There are many creatures that Jorn will need your help with. You\u2019ll want to be careful. Thunder lizards and Wind serpents are not the only creatures to be wary of. The quilboar are ever encroaching from the south as they move up from their ancestral home of the Razorfen. The Quilboar have often created raiding parties and will attack when given the chance. They battle against both Horde and Centaur alike and are ruthless when it comes to defending their territories. \r\rInstances\rWailing Caverns\rDiscovered by the night elf druid Naralex, they were first given their name due to the steam fissures that would create long and loud wails as they vented from below ground. He believed that he could use the underground springs in the caverns to help restore the Barrens to its former beautify that was destroyed with the Great Sundering. While making the attempt to restore the Barrens, something went awry, the waters inside turned and the creatures inside were now transformed into dangerous beasts. You will also face the Druids of the Fang, said to be the former acolytes of Naralex. There are stories that Naralex himself is still trapped somewhere within this winding matrix.\r\rYou and the members of your group will need to travel west from the Crossroads to the cave entrance near the Lushwater Oasis. You will need to fight your way down into the depths of the cavern before you arrive to the start of this instance. This could possibly be your first experience fighting in a group, but it is a great way to polish your skills and obtain powerful items that will help you continue on in your travels after.\r\rRazorfen Kraul\r\rAncestral home to the Quilboar race, who are believed to be the mortal offspring of the demigod Agamaggan. Although Agamaggan fell ten thousand years ago during the War of the Ancients, his offspring and now their descendants, believe that these thorny grounds were sacred and the Quilboar have used the Razorfen as their home from which they stage attacks against other tribes or nearby Horde villages. Razorfen Kraul will be the first set of Quilboar tunnels that you will need to attempt. Are you ready?\r\rRazorfen Downs\r\rAncestral capital city of the Quilboar and much more challenging than the Kraul. The Quilboar of the Razorfen have aligned themselves with the powerful undead Scourge and their lich leader Amnennar the Coldbringer. Be careful when you wander through Razorfen Downs. Quickly you could find yourself surrounded by these Razorfen Quilboar and their Thornweavers and Cultists can hold great power. Be sure that you restock your supplies at Camp Taurajo before heading in as you do not want to run out of supplies when deep inside. Eventually you may find yourself up again the lich himself.\r\r\r\rMany heroes and much of the horde champions are still going head to head to prove themselves through combat in this zone. In current times, the Horde is in control of most of the strategic points. However, one man refuses to bow to the barbaric Horde, one man no one could ever pretend to have beaten in combat. That is of course the one known as Chuck Norris. It is said that on the day he was born, the only person who cried was the doctor, you never slap Chuck Norris. When Chuck Norris does push ups, he isn\u2019t lifting himself, he\u2019s pushing Azeroth down. You may never see Chuck Norris, but he always sees you. Chuck Norris is everywhere.\r\rWhile in this zone, be sure to visit the Shrine of the Fallen Warrior. Spend a moment to pay tribute to Michel Koiter. He was known as a great artist that helped develop these lands and his body is permanently at rest at the Shrine. Until we can see you again Twincruiser\u2026.\r\rI hope these words gave you a sense of what the Barrens have been and what they are today. You will find tremendous growth in these wild lands. Many might find the lands too tough, but not you I feel. You look like one who is up to the challenge. With that, enter with one foot after another, and take it all in. You will leave this land someday one way or another. What you are about to embark on will bring you memories, experiences and skills that you will hold with you for all of your days.\r\r\r\rThis concludes my guide to the Barrens and I hope you enjoyed the write up. Every time I set foot into the Barrens, even today, it still brings back a lot of great memories. If you want to visit and chat about other zones or anything Warcraft related, please feel free to visit me live on Twitch at www.twitch.tv\/alodar. Until next time...\r\rAlodar\rwww.twitch.tv\/alodar\rwww.twitter.com\/AlodarSylmor\r